The Mahindra Thar went into its second generation on August 15, 2020, and is available for purchase on its domestic market of India starting today. The body-on-frame SUV unabashedly copies the Jeep Wrangler while being nearly 6.5 times as affordable.
The car relies on a two-liter gasoline engine rated at 150 hp (112 kW), although you may opt for a 2.2-liter diesel with 130 hp (97 kW) instead. Transmissions include six-speed manual (an in-house design) and Punch 6L50 six-speed auto (designed in France). The part-time AWD system includes a reduction gear, a rear diff lock and an inter-axle lock imitation via brakes. Approach, departure and ramp angles amount to 42, 37 and 27 degrees, respectively. The ground clearance is 226 mm (8.8 inches), and the SUV can traverse water as high as 650 mm (2.13 feet). The body length comes in at just under four meters (13.12 ft.) and the width at 1.85 m (6.07 ft.).
The basic trim level includes a soft top, stamped wheels, a couple airbags, a safety cage, an anti-skid system and an air conditioner. Higher trims offer an optional hard top, alloy wheels and an infotainment system with a seven-inch display.
First vehicles should reach their owners on November 1, 2020. Domestic prices range between 980,000 and 1,375,000 Indian Rupees. The original Jeep Wrangler currently starts from 9,394,000 Rupees.
Mahindra plans to bring the Thar to other markets, including the United States, in a year or two.